katana600

This thread with all the creative replies for pretending you have room of your own just made my day. I love the idea of putting us humans in a cage inside the big bird house. LOL.

Great idea, thanks

I knew this was going to be too much to catch up to put in one post. Gilbert is doing very well here. We are staying with a friend and he is welcome and being enjoyed very much. I am feeling a bit of a rebel. I put Gil in his cage and snuck him into the hospital room for a really quick visit. It really brightened Martha's day and gave me a moment to make her laugh at the audacity. It is a very small hospital in a very small town. Wouldn't you know the doctor walked in at that moment. We have not seen him in the room in a week, but of course when I was breaking the rules, in he came. Gil's flaps were down and I was just praying for him to be silent. The doctor's pager went off and I was sure we would hear an echo, but Gilbert was quiet as a little church mouse. I made a break for the door and got right out of there before we caused an uproar. There will not be any more of this subversive parrot maneuvers. He is happy to be here with me and it gives all of us more choices to do whatever comes next. Everyone is willing to take turns helping with the bird or the patient and we are making it work. Gilbert has a way of bringing laughter to all of us. I have been spraying him a bit every day and he is getting more tolerant of that. I will try to keep up but we have some busy days ahead and I have to make time for him. He is sitting on his little fleece blanket at my elbow and making clucking noises to beg for more head scratches. I am really proud of the way he has traveled and been such a sweetheart. He seems to be reveling in the attention and I tell him when I am leaving and returning so he seems to trust and know in different rooms and circumstances, I am leaving but always returning to him. He is a little quieter than usual but when he does pipe up and say something, it is spot on target for whatever we are doing in a new place. He continues to amaze me and be the center of my life. I worry about making changes or doing new things, but with an almond, a goldfish cracker and a scratch on the head and he is willing to do anything for me. What a guy. Thanks for all of you who are following our trail. I think we will have some adventures while we are here. He is tolerating a lot of things I would have thought might spook him but he is taking it in stride.

Day two of our trip as we were in mid Ohio, Gilbert was getting too warm in the car, so I stopped off at a PetSmart and gave him a little change of scenery. I also wanted to get him some millet and other healthy snacks. I stopped to get a package off the shelf and when it crackled, he regaled the other customers with a " 'S that a cracker?" As we headed back out the door he called to the kids behind us "Bye bye, see ya later." He seems to know what to say and when to say it. The final hour of our trip is a really rough stretch of highway. Gilbert was most secure holding a concrete perch and I just felt it was necessary to give his feet a rest, I was afraid he would have abrasions if I just let him bounce around back there. I wanted to stop, get him out, move the concrete perch and then get him back in on a rope perch to see if that would be better for him. We had a deadline for a plane to catch and we had already stopped several unscheduled times to give Gil a rest, so my husband suggested we just pull off an exit and arrange things and get back on. Well, Gil wouldn't come out of his cage. So, I asked David to get out of the car in case he was reluctant to get out with David so close to me. He obliged and I had my hands full getting Gil out and getting things arranges. When I looked out the window, there was a state police officer talking with David. Uh oh. Thank goodness he was just stopping to see if there was anything he could do to help and my dear husband said "just don't scare the parrot and we will be just fine"... Oh heavens. He still loves Gilbert even when he has to be inconvenienced and he always keeps his sense of humor. I couldn't ask for more.

We are on the road. I am returning to be with family through this illness and brought Gilbert along. My husband came along with me to help with Gilbert and then he flew back. Gilbert is a real trouper and sweet travel companion. I would usually drive the whole distance in a day but a thousand miles is a long time for my little copilot to clench a perch so we stopped for the night. Gilbert was a good boy. One picture is of him jumping on the bed, I spread out his favorite red fleece blanket and boy was he glad to be off that perch to rest his weary little feet. The next morning I asked my husband about the pet policy and how much it cost extra to bring our boy in. I should have known, he said it is easier to seek forgiveness than permission in a time such as this without preplanning. Oh dear. So, I thought it best to cover Gil's cage with the fleece and put my luggage on top and just pull him out to the car quick like a bunny before we were caught. Well, the blanket came off the cage floor about two inches. I heard him saying "Whazzit?" a couple of times when is is puzzled. Then I looked down and saw his face at the floor of the cage, trying to peer out. He caught my eye and in a very loud voice he said "WHAT are you DOING?" The timing and inflection was perfect. Indeed, what in the world was I doing.

Take good care and don't let sadness and despair stop you. I am just getting the news, maybe Murphy is just getting the news too and will come looking for you, keep at it and never say never. Please know our hearts and prayers are with you every moment of your search.

Your pictures have me pining for a baby, LOL. What a great time for you and your little one. I am so happy for you both. The photo where you are holding this sweet little chick is so calm and reassuring, you are doing the right thing to spend your time with this baby, can't wait for the DNA results and the little one to help you find the perfect name for itself. A virtual hug to you and your little one. And a happy dance for you and baby to find one another. This is meant to be.

Yes, thanks for starting the thread. Jay and Maggie, you are in our daily thoughts and hopes that you are managing well and just keeping busy with taking care of your flock. Love to you both!

Those are just the sweetest baby pictures. This is a wonderful time for you, I am so happy that you are joining us and bringing us along for your baby visitation. Thanks.

It is time for some new photos, soon I promise. Tonight as I was getting ready to go to bed, I had fallen asleep on the sofa so our routine was not our usual. Gilbert was protesting by hanging upside down in his cage and chatting. He reminded me of when we had toddlers and they were trying to stave off their bed time by asking for another story, another song, another drink of water, anything to stay up a few minutes longer. I tried just turning the lights off but it is complete darkness and I was concerned he would fall trying to get down after I went to bed. So I would turn off a light in the living room but leave one on in the hall and peek in to see if he had gotten on his night roost. It went on for at least ten minutes until he finally got settled. When I climbed into bed I remarked to my husband that Gilbert was hanging upside down making funny comments. My husband was quick to quip, "Maybe he is a vampire, thus those bites lately." The joke is on me, now I can't sleep with a vampire in the next room, LOL.

This was such a gleeful moment, I don't know what I thought was better, the flight or the eyeballing of the camera on top of the castle wall. Thanks for your interest. I showed my family and it was mmmm hmmm, yep. I felt like I was flying and just laughed at the thought of what could have been going through this bird's mind.... and the camera owner. LOL.

Welcome to the place other "bird people" understand what it is to have a life that includes our little grey bundles of energy, humor, challenge and lots of love. Five is adorable. Congratulations on your new home and your new love. Can't wait to hear the story of name choice and how things are going in your little piece of bird heaven.

We both forgive and move on quickly. Best not to forget and have a repeat, but it certainly won't be the last bite. You just never know, the next bite might be me biting him. LOL. Not hardly, but the thought has entertained me at an appropriate moment. LOL. He is a sweetheart with a smidgen of wickedness and I loved him before I ever met him and it only gets better.

Our mornings have gotten progressively funnier as Gilbert is refining his demands. He started with the "Quit night night", went to "wanna come out?" and "coming" trying to entice me to come out of my bedroom yet an hour sooner every day. I know it should be annoying, but I still can't resist his sweet calls in the morning. He sings in a lilting voice "Good morning sweet bird" LOL I started a healthy new habit for myself making steel cut oats overnight in the rice cooker and have hot crunchy "porridge" with a touch of maple cream. I stand in front of Gilbert's cage and share our first bite of the day. (Of course I give some to the reigning queen Java, but she does not like to eat off a spoon. Gilbert loves this new routine and he would like it to get started a little sooner every day. The progression from sweet nothings and cuteness turned to a short and to the point "Get up!" today. LOL I should not indulge him but once I hear him I am ready to get up any way. Before long though, we may have to go to having sleep cages that can be covered so I decided when it is wake up time rather than him. Someone recently said it would not be all lollipops and sunshine. We had a bit of a rough patch last night. He has been moodier since my return home but we had gotten back to him asking for a quiet little snuggle on my knee before bed. Maybe it was our earlier wakeup call but last night I wasn't sharply focused on watching his body language. One second he was having a head scratch, all curled up, his eyes closed, savoring the moment. The next nanosecond and he had taken his first real bite on my fingertip. I won't get graphic on you, but I am grateful at least that the tip of his beak was on the soft underside of my finger rather than the fingernail. He was startled by something or he just darn well felt aggravated. I left him on the arm of the chair long enough for some ice and first aid. When I returned he was sweet and accomodating to get a lift back to his cage and within a heartbeat he was saying sorries and he certainly softened my heart but it didn't take the sting out of my finger. I know this is part of the territory and I am not holding it against him. There is something about my memory that forgets the bad parts and although I learn new strategies, it doesn't create an atmosphere of fear or rejection. He gets over it in moments and so do I for the most part. He is older and very subtle and advanced in his body language and I am still on a steep learning curve.

She is just such a cutie. I love that she tries to follow you. You have a bright and happy play area for Eva and BB Chu. Glad they are able to be together without too much fuss. Thanks for the pictures, I love to see these baby pictures and happy homes.

Washing windows is bad enough as a routine, but rewashing straight away would be a most unwelcome chore. Your friends and family will be wanting to come see your new place and it would be a sure sign you have certainly lost your mind for them to come in and find you drawing with soap or other marking tools and then putting flaps of post it notes on your windows. I can see the nods and knowing smiles about the crazy bird lady. At least that would be the reaction of my own friends and family. Keeping Zak safe is wonderful. Keeping him safe and keeping you sane at the same time is priceless. Hope it brings you great success.

Now this gives a literal representation of a bird's eye view.

Great question. We watched a baby CAG molt his first tail feathers and when the new ones came in they were bright red. Gilbert, our TAG has dark tail feathers that he had partially plucked and here I was thinking when they molt and grow back naturally, they might be brighter in color. Silly me, he is between seven and ten years old, so they will be coming in the same color. Your question and replies were the first time I considered that flawed logic. Thanks for bringing up the topic. Also, the first time I saw an African grey was in a pet shop decades ago. I thought to myself as I looked the splendid colors of other birds that one was plain next to them. Then as life has taken its many turns, I have discovered the joy of the character of this deceptively unadorned little package and have gotten a closer look at the beauty and simplicity of our African greys. Now I can not imagine why I thought they way I did. I find myself mesmerized by Gilbert's beauty and grace and even in the nuances of color and pattern in his feathers.

I think you are doing the right things, letting them see one another in cages located close enough to have them get used to the other one being in the same area from a safe distance. The bird you have had the longest should get your first attention, feed it first, greet it first etc. That seems to be big in diffusing jealousy issues from the onset. As time goes along, you will get an idea of how close you can get them together without mayhem. We have had Gilbert three months now and I can have him and our smaller first-bird Java out at the same time and there is no more dive bombing and attack reactions from her. He is not flighted as yet and she is, so I do have to be on my feet every second if she leaves my shoulder or my immediate location. Be very careful and have a plan to separate them if you have an altercation. We had a bad moment with a cockatiel when we were new to birds. Java landed on the cage of our foster-bird cocktiel. He pinched her toe and she snatched his head right through the bars and put a crimp in his beak. He was okay but it happened in a flash and could have been much worse. Now, I carefully plan our meetings and introductions when the vet is open rather than on weekends. You just never know, your two may end up as preening buddies, mine may eventually, but that is not the way they see it today.

Aww, Cocoa is quite the model. I would have a hard time deciding which photo is my favorite. Well done.

Can you get the "post it notes" or sticky notes there? They are small brightly colored pieces of paper with repositionable adhesive. Some people have recommended putting them on the windows and mirrors in a new surrounding so the bird will notice it is not a fly-through area. Eventually Zak will get to know where the hazards are and it will get better. If you do put sticky notes on the windows, take Zak around and show him while you do it and make him a part of noticing the glass. I like reggieroo's idea of making the windows opaque at first and gradually making reminders if the sticky notes and showing Zak are not effective. It has to give you such a start and a huge gasp of panic when it happens. Poor Zak. On the other hand, moving to a bigger, brighter place is great for you, congratulations.

I got Gilbert a fresh pack of his own crackers. Gee, store them low and the dogs are forever trying to open the plastic bins, store them high and Java gets into them. Have mercy it is a never ending battle of the wits around here. Luckily we all got such a laugh out of this, it makes me think of how much our birds are the center of our family. They are always piping up with something funny to do or say and we all laugh and they mimic our laughter. I never knew there was so much to say or to laugh about until we brought parrots into our lives.

Maybe going away was not such a bad thing. Gilbert has had a busy week of growth. He has been clearly saying the name of one of our dogs, Mick. It is always a command, "quiet Mick", "stop it Mick" so I do know who was the naughty one while I was gone. LOL. Also, usually when the dog goes toward the front door, Gilbert goes through his "c'mon Bud" or "go outside?" and he will usually tell me before the dog has a chance to ring the cowbell. Now though, the bell rings and Gilbert calls out "Coming" which is just what we do when we hear one of the dogs at the door. He is really picking up the rhythm of our household. He went back to his old ways of being standoffish to my husband and daughter now that I am home and they are suggesting I leave him with them again because they liked that progress. He actually bit me yesterday because my daughter was standing close when I scratched his head, the little pip. Later in the afternoon, I mentioned how dusty he looked and that we should try a bath. I was again amazed that he went to his water dish and started trying to get it splashed up. We had such a fuss the last time I sprayed him that I was letting him get more secure, but since he took the initiative, I got a different kind of spray bottle, much smaller and tried it again. He definitely was annoyed, but didn't act as frightened this time, so I sprayed gently and let him climb all over and still stuck with it and sprayed until he was completely soaked. He spent his time preening but was accepting this time of his shower. Later he looked so lovely that I will start with once a week spraying with aloe and hopefully that will help his feathers come back in more comfortably. He took it in stride and didn't seem to hold it against me or go on a hunger strike this time. It needs to be done and I am relieved to make progress on this battle.

She had to have gotten into that bag all in one afternoon. She had already eaten her beans and warm food in the morning and it was a new package of grahams. All I can figure is that she opened the bag and they fell down in a rush and she may have been feeding them to the dogs while I was out of the house. She has a roll of adding machine tape on a toy in her cage about once a month she does her "financials" and pulls off an entire roll at once. She had done that too so I pulled it all out to look to see if the crackers were in her hideout, but only a few. I think from now on, I will save the packages and make foraging toys for both of them. LOL It is a mystery where she may have packed away her weight in crackers in one afternoon, but we may as well use it to our advantage. I am doing some deep cleaning today and half expect to find a stash of crackers on the floor behind her cage. I somehow doubt it though, the dogs would be creative in getting back there to help her clean up.

It sounds like you are all adapting and adjusting well. I was wondering about a flat plastic container, like the under-bed shoe holders to put on your dresser. They are low and she could see through the sides and it would keep the toys from falling out. I also saw on another post recently where someone used flat washers to connect a perch to a smaller plastic tub so if I can find it again, I will send a link. When you start finding workable solutions, you will have one insight after another to deal with your specific perching issues and have a happy bird and more restful days too. You have the heart and the ingenuity to invent a haven for Phoebe that is still a haven for your other birds, your family and for you too. I am just so pleased at the progress you are making for her sake as well as yours.